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Archaeology/found ? possible cannon ball

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Expert: - 3/28/2011


Question

1st ball
my grandma had some bushed pulled up in her yard and these 2 balls were found. we brought them back to our house and decided to call the fire dept. they came and took these balls. this was on saturday 3-26-11. by looking at the pictures can you tell what they were? obviously little rock , ar fire dept had no idea.

Answer
Hi Jodie

This is a cannon ball with fuze intact.  This means that it is still live!! Do not expose it to heat or try to drill into it or it could explode!!! I'm serious!

Please send me pic of both to rsalier@hotmail.com and please be sure to provide a scale so that I have an idea of size.  Also, please weight them and take a tape measure and measure their circumferances.  

Are there any markings on them?  If so, I'll need a close up of the markings.

Finally, what would you like to know about them?  I can't make any promises but I'll try to answer all of your questions.

Remember, this is live ordinance so don't drop them or knock  them about.

Oh, yes, put cannon ball into the subject line.  

Ralph Salier

Expertise

Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.

Experience


Past/Present clients
Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.

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